Editor’s Note - July 2015
Between 2012 and 2015, the United States is posed to experience considerable growth in the older population. In 2050, individuals aged 65 and older are projected to number 83.7 million, compared to 43.1 million in that age group in 2012.1 By 2030, more than 20% of Americans are projected to be over the age of 65.
According to a report by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the United States faces a shortage of up to 90,000 doctors by 2025.2 How does this affect the current primary care practitioner? The AAMC recommends increased use of advanced practice nurses, greater use of alternative settings such as retail clinics, delayed physician retirement, and rapid payment and delivery. The key is to focus on team-based care options and better use of technology to make care effective and efficient.2
Consultant360 recently highlighted several articles focused on geriatric care:
• Inappropriate drug list preview. The American Geriatrics Society shared a preview of the new Beers Criteria, which is designed to reduce exposure to potentially inappropriate medications and the frequency of adverse drug events.3
• Mortality risk doubled in delirious ICU patients. Researchers explore the relationship between brain dysfunction and short-term outcomes in critically ill patients.4
• Association found between coronary heart disease and osteoporosis. Using a high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT, researchers found that cortical porosity was higher in those with osteoporosis and coronary heart disease.5
• Trans fat could worsen memory in men age 45 and older. Researchers noted that cognitive memory decreased by 0.76 words for each extra gram of trans fat daily.6
Sincerely,
Pooja Shah
Managing Editor, Consultant and Consultant360
References:
1. Ortman J, Velkoff V, Hogan H. An aging nation: the older population in the United States. May 2014. www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/p25-1140.pdf. Accessed June 29, 2015.
2. Association of American Medical Colleges. Physician supply and demand through 2025: key findings. March 2015. https://www.aamc.org/download/426260/data/physiciansupplyanddemandthrough2025keyfindings.pdf. Accessed June 29, 2015.
3. McGraw M. AGS: updated list of inappropriate drugs on the way. Consultant360. June 12, 2015. www.consultant360.com/exclusives/ags-updated-list-inappropriate-drugs-way. Accessed June 29, 2015.
4. Butcher MC. Mortality risk doubled in delirious ICU patients. Consultant360. June 4, 2015. www.consultant360.com/exclusives/mortality-risk-doubled-delirious-icu-patients. Accessed June 29, 2015.
5. Potts M. Could coronary heart disease increase the risk of osteoporosis? Consultant360. June 29, 2015. www.consultant360.com/exclusives/could-coronary-heat-disease-increase-risk-osteoporosis. Accessed June 29, 2015.
6. Mullarkey C. Could eating trans fat worsen your memory? Consultant360. June 22, 2015. www.consultant360.com/exclusives/could-eating-trans-fats-worsen-your-memory. Accessed June 29, 2015.